Impressive March In Delhi

 AN impressive march was organized in Delhi by over 15 leading women’s groups to mark International women’s day. Women from all walks of life, belonging to different parts of Delhi, enthusiastically participated in the rally in large numbers.

They raised slogans demanding the early passage of the bill for 33% reservation of women in Parliament and state legislatures; speedy implementation of the Common Minimum Programme of the UPA government, especially provisions pertaining to women; and security for women in Delhi. The participants also voiced their protest against rising prices and anti-poor policies  pursued by the government in the name of globalization and liberalization.

The rally began from Delhi Gate, passed through Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and culminated in a public meeting at ITO chowk.

Leaders of the organizations called upon the women to unitedly struggle for women’s rights, which are increasingly being threatened today.

They raised concern on a wide range of issues. All the speakers  unanimously condemned the alarming decline in child sex ratio in the country in general and Delhi in particular which has gone down to 845:1000. This is also a manifestation of increase in cases of female foeticide. The speakers asked for a proper implementation of the Pre Natal DeterminationTest Act.

The speakers also demanded strengthening and regularization of Public Distribution System. They expressed  concern at the growing trends towards fundamentalism and communalism of which women are the main targets.

Those who spoke included Sudha Sundaraman of AIDWA, Annie Raja of NFIW, Husna Subhani of WCSRC, Binu of SAMA, Kanta of Savitri Bai Phule Mahila Sangathan, Kusum Sehagl of Swastik Mahila Samiti, Sucharita of Purogami Mahila Sangathan, and leaders of YWCA, Nirmala Niketan, Niramn Mazdoor Panchayat Sangam, National Forum of Dalit Women, Nurses’ Union, etc.

The meeting adopted a resolution condemning the bomb blasts in Varanasi. The gathering observed a two-minute silence condoling the loss of innocent lives and strongly condemned this barbaric act of terror.